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7 Reasons I'd Never Homeschool My Teen

I recently came across the story of a Tesca Fitzgerald,
who, at 12, is getting ready to start college and plans to be working
her Ph.D. by age 16. Her proud mother credited her daughter's genius to
the fact that she was homeschooled. Amazing, right? But I have to tell
you, that is as impressive as it is crazy. It made me wonder if I could
homeschool my teen or pre-teen. With the cost of private school in New
York City, the idea is an attractive one. But I quickly came to my
senses and here's why. Check out the 7 reasons I'd never home school my teen.

I could probably get him through algebra and geometry, but we'd both
need a tutor when it came to calculus. Sure, I took it in high school
but it was in one ear and out the other as soon as the final was
finished.

I can't imagine his first intense classroom setting being a college lecture. Talk about intimidating.

We'd get sick of each other by week four two.

When he complains about his bitchy teacher, he'll be talking about me.

When I complain about my crappy job, I'll be talking about him.

I can't teach him the same survival instincts you learn navigating
your way though mean girls, jocks, geeks, or whichever else cliques
exist these days.

I'm not a trained educator. Parents love to complain about their
kids' teachers but it's a tough job. Probably one of the toughest. It's a
combo of instructor, counselor, soother, conflict resolution expert,
and motivator. How exhausting is that?!

I tip my hat to all those moms and dads who successfully homeschool
their children. It's clearly not something every parent can do.

Do you think you could homeschool your teen?

Are you homeschooling your teen? Do you intend to homeschool when your children are teens?

I love teenagers but I don't have any, now. We did homeschooling through high school. Parents who don't stay close to their teenagers are likely not to stay close in the future too. Teens need you MORE than ever before, IMO.

That list is the list of someone who A.) Knows little to nothing about homeschooling and B.) Doesn't want to hang with her teen - ever.

I love teenagers but I don't have any, now. We did homeschooling through high school. Parents who don't stay close to their teenagers are likely not to stay close in the future too. Teens need you MORE than ever before, IMO.

That list is the list of someone who A.) Knows little to nothing about homeschooling and B.) Doesn't want to hang with her teen - ever.

I don't get this either. I was in a Moms club (well actually I have been in a few) where the moms couldn't believe that I would even think of homeschooling, let alone do it! And these are the same women that were sending their kids to any preschool program that they could just so they could go to the gym or get their nails done. LOL

We aren't in those groups anymore since that is just such a foreign concept to me.

Quoting mem82:

Why do so many moms talk about not being able to stand their kids if they are forced together for the majority of the day?

I am completely baffled as to why you would post this in a homeschooling chat forum??

There is no one MORE qualified than me to teach my children. I am the ONE person who will always have their best interest in mind when I choose their curriculum. And my husband and I are better qualified to make decisions about the future of our children because we are only thinking of them, not a classroom or school full of other kids, just ours.

My kids would be more subject to "damage" by attending a school than if they are home with me. Here, they are getting an education that was hand selected for their strengths and weaknesses. They can work at heir own pace and set their own goals; ones that are not state mandated according to the average student. They are able to enjoy more than one field trip a year. They are not exposed to sexual immorality, drugs and other dangers on a daily basis. And they have my undivided attention.

Yes, I homeschool 2 teenagers. And I am proud to be able to do so.

Quoting Sister_Someone:

#7 is the reason why I think homeschooling is just wrong. I wouldn't let someone unqualified or underqualified even step a foot into the lab where I work in fear of them damaging something, so obviously I won't pretend I can teach when I'm not qualified to be an educator.

Seriously - how difficult is it? Reading books, talking together. Working one on one with a stdent is WAY different than educating in a classroom. I will guarantee you my student will have WAY better lab skills than most of the kids coming out of the local high school!

Quoting Sister_Someone:

#7 is the reason why I think homeschooling is just wrong. I wouldn't let someone unqualified or underqualified even step a foot into the lab where I work in fear of them damaging something, so obviously I won't pretend I can teach when I'm not qualified to be an educator.

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